Socioeconomic position and SARS-CoV-2 infections: seroepidemiological findings from a German nationwide dynamic cohort

Abstract

BackgroundEvidence on the relationship between socioeconomic position (SEP) and infections with SARS-CoV-2 is still limited as most of the available studies are ecological in nature. This is the first German nationwide study to examine differences in the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infections according to SEP at the individual level.MethodsThe ‘CORONA-MONITORING bundesweit’ (RKI-SOEP) study is a seroepidemiological survey among a dynamic cohort of the German adult population (n=15 122; October 2020–February 2021). Dried blood samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and oral-nasal swabs for viral RNA. SEP was measured by education and income. Robust logistic regression was used to examine adjusted associations of SARS-CoV-2 infections with SEP.Results288 participants were seropositive, PCR positive or self-reported a previous laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. The adjusted odds of SARS-CoV-2 infection were 1.87-fold (95% CI 1.06 to 3.29) higher among low-educated than highly educated adults. Evidence was weaker for income differences in infections (OR=1.65; 95% CI 0.89 to 3.05). Highly educated adults had lower odds of undetected infection.ConclusionThe results indicate an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in low-educated groups. To promote health equity in the pandemic and beyond, social determinants should be addressed more in infection protection and pandemic planning.

SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among people with cystic fibrosis prior to the vaccination campaign: A seroprevalence study in two specialized centres in Northern Italy

“…Of note, in contrast to several reports from the general population documenting higher infection rates among less educated than highly educated individuals [ 11 , 12 ], low education was not associated with a higher risk of infection in our CF population. This result may be related to the wide adoption of the preventing measures to avoid infection among patients who are regularly followed-up in specialized care centres.…”

Germany’s low SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence confirms effective containment in 2020: Results of the nationwide RKI-SOEP study

“…This nationwide SARS-CoV-2 seroepidemiological study (RKI-SOEP study), among adults in private households in Germany, shows that by November 2020 only about two percent of adults in Germany had had a SARS-CoV-2 infection. This finding expands on an early analysis of the RKI-SOEP data which estimated a countrywide seroprevalence of 1.3% in adults but had not yet accounted for test characteristics and antibody decay over time 16 . We estimate that in this first year of the pandemic, approximately a quarter of all adults had had at least one SARS-CoV-2 test and that slightly more than half of SARS-CoV-2 infections have been detected and notified.…”

“…With regard to social disparities in infections with SARS-CoV-2, previous findings from national seroprevalence studies in the pre-vaccine era of the pandemic are inconsistent and sometimes contradictory [43][44][45] . A previous analysis of our RKI-SOEP data used information on vocational and academic qualifications in addition to school-leaving qualifications to assess the participants' educational level, and found higher SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity in adults with lower education 16 .…”

“…With regard to social disparities in infections with SARS-CoV-2, previous findings from national seroprevalence studies in the pre-vaccine era of the pandemic are inconsistent and sometimes contradictory 43-45 . A previous analysis of our RKI-SOEP data used information on vocational and academic qualifications in addition to school-leaving qualifications to assess the participants’ educational level, and found higher SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity in adults with lower education 16 . Taking this finding together with our present result that school education alone was not associated with seropositivity, it can be suggested that professional education is more crucial for the risk of infection than schooling.…”

Impact of COVID-19 shocks, precarity and mediating resources on the mental health of residents of share housing in Victoria, Australia: an analysis of data from a two-wave survey

“…Australia, like many other countries, responded with social distancing measures including limiting time outside of the home, broad work-from-home rules, temporary or permanent shut down of businesses and closure of schools and childcare 1. Measures in Australia and internationally effectively locked down households for long periods of time, with well-documented impacts on mental health across populations2 3 and broader health, social and economic implications 4–6. The most acute consequences have been felt by households who are vulnerable to both precarious employment (eg, casual employees with no leave entitlements or unemployed people) and housing (eg, people without formal leasing arrangements or living in highly unaffordable housing); that is, households prone to pre-existing double precarity 7–9…”